The largest fentanyl seizure in the state of Missouri was made in New Madrid County last week.
During a traffic stop and search on Nov. 1, the Missouri State Highway Patrol discovered almost five pounds of the powerful opioid drug in a suspect’s vehicle, which had been traveling northbound on Interstate 55. The driver, 27-year-old Angel Larar-Esteban of Phoenix, Arizona, was arrested for felony drug trafficking and endangering the welfare of a child.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott says although the destination of Larar-Esteban is unknown, just the idea of this drug passing through Missouri is of huge concern.
“Fentanyl is a highly addictive opioid that we’re seeing introduced to Missouri, along with heroine,” says Parrott. “And this is something that is very startling to us, because two milligrams is enough to cause serious injury or death to somebody.”
The five pounds collected from the vehicle had a street value of nearly $3 million.
Parrott says if anyone sees criminal drug activity, they should inform the Missouri State Highway Patrol about it. He also says that fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin, and should only be in the hands of those it was prescribed to.